Program Overview

Stateside students from the USF College of Business have the opportunity to travel to Peru to study at the Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola (USIL), paying the same USF tuition rate as they pay in Tampa. Students will be able to live, shop, study, and play in Lima, Peru.

Courses offered in Peru are the same courses taught at USF's Tampa campus; the majority are taught by Tampa-based business school faculty members who travel to teach the accelerated courses at USIL.

Students participating in this study abroad program must meet all pre-requisites and requirements to be fully admitted to the College of Business, which generally means all core "principles" courses (financial and managerial accounting, macroeconomics and microeconomics, a calculus course, and business computers course) have been completed with at least a C. All minimum GPA requirements must be met and students must commit to spending at least one semester in the Peru program.

Classes are taught in English at the Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola. The courses are taught at a faster pace at USIL, with twice-daily lectures and extended study sessions, so courses that are normally completed in 16 weeks in Tampa can be completed in three weeks. This accelerated schedule means students must progress through the rigorous curriculum quickly, but allows students ample opportunity to immerse themselves in the Peruvian culture, explore, shop, and make business connections.

Housing, books, food, and all personal expenses are not included in the tuition fees; just as in Tampa, students are responsible for their own accommodations and making their own travel arrangements. However, both the academic advisor at USF, as well as the program director in Lima, can provide assistance and make suggestions for both travel and housing. Students may apply for study abroad scholarships to help offset tuition or other expenses associated with the study abroad trip.

Faculty

Program Costs

Projected Total Program Cost: $625

Included:

Administrative Support Services

Orientation

USF Education Abroad Program Cost

Insurance (assuming 5 months of study)

Not Included:

USF Tuition
Students will be enrolled for on-campus business courses through the College of Business and will be expected to pay regular on-campus tuition for those courses. Non-Business courses taken at USI de Loyola will be transfered back from the host institution.

Getting There

Medical Insurance and Travel Documentation

USF provides program participants with sickness/accident and emergency medical evacuation insurance valid for the dates of the program. Those who will travel independently, either in advance of the program or after the program ends, must ensure that they have insurance coverage valid outside the U.S.

While no country is free from the threat of terrorist attack, no such incidents have recently been reported in Argentina. Argentine traffic accidents remain the main source of injury and death for tourists, so caution is advised when crossing roads and highways.

As in any city, students in Lima should be aware of their surroundings and their belongings, and should not draw particular attention to themselves -- tourists in any area are easy targets. Excessive drinking is the leading cause of life-threatening instances and emergencies abroad. As the US State Department site warns, a large number of crimes take place in and around drinking establishments in Argentina.

Scams

A common scam is to spray mustard or a similar substance on the tourist from a distance. A pickpocket will then approach the tourist offering to help clean the stain, and while doing so, he or an accomplice robs the victim. Another scam is to entice tourists into a bar known as a "wiskeria" with a flyer for a shopping discount or free show. Once inside, the victim is not allowed to leave until he or she pays an exorbitant amount for a drink. Thieves regularly nab unattended purses, backpacks, laptops, and luggage, and criminals will often distract visitors for a few seconds to steal valuables. While most American victims are not physically injured when robbed, criminals are known to use force when they encounter resistance. Visitors are advised to immediately hand over all cash and valuables if confronted. Thieves may target visitors wearing expensive watches or jewelry, or carrying laptop computer cases.

To gain a different perspective on safety, you may want to visit other countries' foreign travel websites. As a point of comparison, we encourage you to see what these sites say about safety in U.S. cities:

The majority of USF's study abroad programs involve a great deal of walking, and in some cases hiking and trekking. This program is a largely resident-based program. Nevertheless, students will be required to climb stairs, and walk a great deal, even if taking public transportation. If you have any concerns regarding your health (mental or physical), please consult your doctor and the staff of Education Abroad prior to the program!

Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC's Internet site at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the World Health Organization (WHO) website at http://www.who.int/en. Further health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/ith.

Special Terms

Students should review carefully the Education Abroad Participant Contract, included in the Education Abroad application process.It describes students' responsibilities with regard to participation, and includes information on insurance, and cancellation and refund policies. Students will be asked to electronically sign this document. To view this document before applying, please click here.